I laugh.
“Yeah, but it wouldn’t be fun if your co-worker was a huge pregnant lady who has to go to the bathroom every ten minutes. It’s better that I stay home and just rest because I’m so huge already.”
Mindy’s eyes go wide.
“I know and you’re only in your second trimester right?”
I nod with a secret smile.
“Yes, so I have a long way to go. But come on, let’s grab a canapé. The caterers have already set some food up and as a pregnant lady, I’m starving!”
We giggle and catch up a bit, but soon enough, guests start arriving and I swoon when I see my men come into the room. My three boyfriends are utterly gorgeous with their night-black hair, piercing blue eyes, and dark suits that emphasize their athletic frames. I can’t believe I’m with all three of them, and hug myself with happiness.
They catch my eye and wink, but stop to mingle with guests. Then, after about fifteen minutes or so, there’s the distinct clink of a knife being tapped against a wine glass.
I turn and see Burke standing at the front of the room, with Sam and Vance flanking him.
“Hey everyone, thanks for coming,” my gorgeous lover says in a deep voice. Immediately, the room quiets as our guests focus on the three men. “You know me, my friend Sam, and my buddy Vance,” he begins. “It’s not often that we co-host a shindig, and as much as we all love parties, I’m sure you’re wondering what this one is about.”
A few folks in the crowd clap and chuckle, urging him on.
“The truth is that it’s a coming-out party of sorts, but no, not the kind you’re thinking. Vance, Sam and I aren’t gay so it’s not that kind of reveal, but we have made a pretty big decision.”
The crowd murmurs with anticipation and there’s a sense of excitement in the room. Burke holds up a big hand.
“We’d like to announce that Vance, Sam, and I have decided to merge our three companies into a single entity under the name JessBSV. The companies will continue to operate individually for the time being, but as three leading real estate conglomerates in the city, we believe that our powerful brand names, excellent human resources, and unrivaled network will produce synergies that make JessBSV into the powerhouse it was always meant to be.”
I gasp because why is it called JessBSV? Is it because of me? Sure enough, someone asks that exact question.
“What’s up with the name gentlemen? Why not just BSV for Burke, Sam and Vance?”
Sam steps forward then with a devilish grin.
“Well, that’s the second part of our announcement. Jessica, could you come up here for a moment?”
I nearly drop the glass of apple juice I’ve been holding. OMG, is this really happening? With trembling knees, I move to the front of the room and hope against hope that my hair is in place and my make-up not smudged. But my three lovers beam at me before pressing heated kisses to my lips right in front of the crowd. Then, Sam turns and makes an introduction.
“As many of you already know or at least suspect, Vance, Burke and I are in a relationship with a beautiful woman whom I’d like to introduce formally as our girlfriend today. This is Jessica Arroyo, and she’s the love of our lives as well as the mother of our unborn child. She’s going to be an amazing mama, and that’s why we named the company JessBSV. It’s in tribute to Jessica, Burke, Sam, and Vance, and embodies our hopes and dreams for this corporation, and our future family too.”
The three men kiss me then and these aren’t tiny pecks on the cheek. Instead, they claim my mouth long and full in front of the crowd, which breaks into loud applause. Evidently, no one cares that we’re in a quad relationship, and silently, I thank the people of Portland. This is such a liberal, open, and loving population, and my heart melts with the warmth and acceptance I feel. But then, Vance breaks away and turns once more to the crowd, a sly smile playing at the corners of his mobile mouth.
“Actually, there’s more,” he says. Then he nods at his buddies and the three men drop to one knee before me as Vance proffers a small blue box.
“Jessica Arroyo, we love you with all our hearts, and we can’t imagine a world without you. Will you marry us? Will you help us christen JessBSV by becoming our wife and our woman, before the eyes of man and God forever?”
The crowd gasps, and tears start to fill my eyes. I cover my mouth with my hands and whisper, “Yes, Vance. Yes, Burke and Sam. I’d love to become your wife.”
They nod gratefully and pull out a gorgeous ring which features three diamonds nestled next to one another on a platinum band. It slips onto my finger perfectly and I sigh with contentment because this piece of jewelry perfectly signifies the love that we hold for one another. But then I turn to the crowd with a shy smile and raise my hand.